Daming: I can’t kill such a greedy prince-in-law?

Chapter 485 Ouyang Lun cannot die, I said so (Please subscribe!!)

Just as a group of officials were discussing the matter, Zhu Yuanzhang, accompanied by Zhu Biao, walked to the dragon throne and sat down.

Zhu Yuanzhang was in a very good mood at the moment.

On the way to the morning court, Crown Prince Zhu Biao told him a lot about newspapers, business conferences and advertising. In particular, the advertising revenue and advertising effects shocked Zhu Yuanzhang.

The newspapers that he had not been optimistic about before are now booming and have almost become the most profitable industry in the Ming Dynasty court.

Being able to control public opinion and make money makes them even more valuable than the Imperial Guards.

At the same time, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but admire Ouyang Lun in his heart. This guy has never failed in making money!
Damn it, Ouyang Lun has fooled me again.

To be honest, Zhu Yuanzhang had long been extremely interested in the wealth in the hands of the merchants in the Ming Dynasty. He had already conceived of it in his mind, but he could not think of any perfect plan. Plundering wealth from the hands of wealthy businessmen is a delicate job. If you are not careful, you will be retaliated by these businessmen. Although Zhu Yuanzhang is not afraid of these at all, he is still worried about the damage to the stability of the Ming Dynasty.

However, after knowing that Ouyang Lun had done this, especially knowing that those merchants were holding up the silver bills in their hands and rushing forward desperately to buy the advertising space, they immediately understood that this method was the most appropriate one!
After the business conference was over, they directly received more than 20 million in advertising fees. What a money-making mechanism!

At the same time, Zhu Yuanzhang was also a little angry. The reason was very simple. "We are all normal people. How can you, Ouyang Lun, come up with such a unique method?"

"The one who made the merchants line up to pay money and compete with each other to pay more money is you, Ouyang Lun!"

Just as Zhu Yuanzhang was muttering to himself.

"Your Majesty has arrived, all ministers will come to court early!"

"Long live my emperor, long live, long live!"

After all the officials saluted in unison, Zhu Yuanzhang asked lazily, "My dears, do you have anything to discuss this morning?"

The words fell.

An official stood up and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, I have heard a lot of rumors recently."

"What rumors?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked with some confusion.

"Your Majesty, after learning that the Merchants' Conference was successfully held, I made a special investigation. Although many people applauded the newspaper's information transmission, many of them also had opinions about the newspaper!"

"Oh? Any opinions? What opinions?" Zhu Yuanzhang was a little surprised. Newspapers are such a good thing, but some people have opinions about it.

"Some people say that this newspaper is lying. Some places are so poor that people can't even afford to eat, but they say that the people there live and work in peace and have meat for every meal!" the official shouted.

The words fell.

A murderous intent suddenly flashed in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes.

lie!!
Not only is it a betrayal to the people, it is also a deception to the emperor!
Moreover, according to Zhu Yuanzhang’s experience, such situations often conceal major corruption cases, such as the Guangdong Province epidemic case, the empty seal case, and the Guo Heng case! !
Did the newspaper report false information? Whitewash the situation? Or is there another reason?

Zhu Yuanzhang quickly calmed down and decided that this matter must be investigated thoroughly.

Could this be Ouyang Lun's fault? The newspaper was operated by Ouyang Lun alone. If there was a problem with the newspaper, Ouyang Lun would definitely not be able to escape.

Did Ouyang Lun accept the money? Or did he lie on purpose to make the newspaper stand out?

No matter which one it was, it was enough to make Ouyang Lun drink a pot. Thinking of this, Zhu Yuanzhang was actually a little excited!
Hehe, you, Ouyang Lun, have finally come to this day! I finally got a hold of you, Ouyang Lun's little braid.

Zhu Yuanzhang's thoughts at this moment were relatively simple. Even if the matter was investigated thoroughly and it was indeed done by Ouyang Lun, Zhu Yuanzhang did not intend to deal with Ouyang as long as it was not particularly serious!

What does it mean to be particularly serious?

As long as it is no more serious than the Empty Seal Case and the Guo Heng Case, it will be fine. Even if it is more serious than these two cases, Zhu Yuanzhang will not kill Ouyang Lun.

reason?

Killing a "genius" like Ouyang Lun would not only be a pity, but also a bargain for this guy.

Holding Ouyang Lun's pigtail in my hand, I can use it with confidence!
Squeeze all the value out of Ouyang Lun and treat him as... in Ouyang Lun's words, use him as a slave!

Of course, Zhu Yuanzhang would never say such thoughts in his mind.

"Ahem, newspapers are the throat of the Ming Dynasty. Reports must be true. This is an iron rule!"

"This matter must be thoroughly investigated! I will hand it over to the Ministry of Justice for investigation. Once it is fully investigated, no matter who is involved, I will not show any leniency!"

Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice with a gloomy expression.

"Prince."

"My son is here."

Zhu Biao quickly bowed in response.

"You should personally monitor this matter." Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Yes."

Zhu Biao nodded.

……

After this day of court.

News that the court had launched a comprehensive investigation into the authenticity of newspaper content spread like wildfire.

Zhu Biao went to the Ministry of Justice in person and began to investigate, accompanied by the Minister of Justice.

Three days later.

Zhu Biao hurried to the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Seeing Zhu Biao coming in, Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice: "Biao'er, regarding the official's claim that the newspaper's contents were false, have you found out the results of your investigation?"

Zhu Biao immediately cupped his hands, looking somewhat serious and embarrassed, "Father, after three days of investigation, I think I have a preliminary understanding of the matter!"

Seeing Zhu Biao's expression, Zhu Yuanzhang's expression gradually became serious. His intuition told him that this matter was not that simple.

"Tell me, I want to see who has the guts to tamper with the content of the newspaper!"

Zhu Yuanzhang knew the importance of newspapers, and he was even more aware that if the newspapers distorted right and wrong, it would make the people disappointed in the Ming court. Zhu Yuanzhang was very clear about what it would mean if the people lost trust in the newspapers.

Therefore, the requirement for newspaper authenticity is almost at the same level as the requirement for officials to be honest and upright!
Zhu Biao took a deep breath and then said, "This happened in Guangxi Province. The newspaper was the Guangxi Provincial Newspaper. It reported a month ago in a place called Hanjia Village in Guangxi Province. According to the provincial newspaper, Hanjia Village was originally a remote and poor village, but it had a large population, with hundreds of households and several thousand people."

"After the imperial court started to build a road, it happened to pass through their village, so the whole village was demolished and the local county government built brand new houses for them to resettle, so they can live a happy life."

"In order to show the results of the Ming Dynasty's five-year plan, the Ministry of Rites issued a task for newspapers at all levels to report more positive changes. The Guangxi Provincial Newspaper reported the incident in Hanjia Village."

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang frowned slightly and said in a deep voice: "Biao'er, from what you said, it seems that the Guangxi Provincial Newspaper did not report anything wrong?"

"After my investigation, the Guangxi Provincial Newspaper did not report any false information..." Zhu Biao nodded.

"So someone is slandering us?" Zhu Yuanzhang continued to ask in a deep voice.

"It's not slander." Zhu Biao replied.

"There is no error in the report, and it is not slander. So what is the problem?" Zhu Yuanzhang was a little confused. "Or is the reaction of the people wrong?" "The reaction of the people is also correct. The real situation in Hanjia Village is that people can't even afford to eat." At this point, Zhu Biao's eyes showed anger. "Father, the fact is that in order to embezzle the land acquisition funds, the local officials did not build resettlement houses for the villagers of Hanjia Village, and forcibly expelled the villagers of Hanjia Village to a more remote place, leaving them to fend for themselves."

"The local officials were worried that the matter would be exposed and discovered by the newspaper reporters, so they arranged a scene when the reporters were interviewing on the spot. The newspaper reporters were deceived and finally wrote this false report!"

"Another corrupt official!" Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's face twisted with anger.

What he hated the most were corrupt officials, especially those who directly embezzled from the people!
"How much money was embezzled? And... who did such a stupid thing? " Zhu Yuanzhang asked angrily.

"According to the regulations on compensation for demolition, the compensation for Hanjia Village should be based on the number of people, with each person receiving 100 taels of silver. The total is about 600,000 to 700,000 taels of silver." Zhu Biao replied, "The current target is the local county magistrate."

"These are all the money that the common people spent on buying things! How dare they be greedy!" Zhu Yuanzhang was furious.

"A mere county magistrate dares to embezzle 600,000 or 700,000 taels, or even more. Very good! Go... pull out the tendons and bones of this county magistrate, and then chop him into pieces and feed him to the dogs!!"

"Father..." Zhu Biao said hesitantly.

"What's wrong now?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

"Father, this county magistrate is named Li Deli. He has always claimed that his idol is Brother-in-law Ouyang, and he has always regarded himself as an official of the Prince Consort Party," Zhu Biao said slowly.

boom!
Without waiting for Zhu Biao to finish speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the dragon table.

"Bastard!"

"What is Ouyang Lun doing? He has such a corrupt official under his command. The top beam is not upright, and the bottom beam is crooked. I think this matter is related to him, Ouyang Lun."

Zhu Yuanzhang roared.

"Check! Keep checking!"

"If one village embezzles 600,000 or 700,000 yuan, then are people from other villages also embezzling?!"

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes slightly, "Ji Gang!"

"The end will be here."

A dark shadow flashed out, it was the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Ji Gang.

"Ji Gang, send someone to Guangxi Province overnight to investigate this province from top to bottom!"

Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice.

"Yes!" After receiving the order, Ji Gang quickly turned around and left the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

"Father, your Majesty, your son and the Ministry of Justice are already investigating more of the situation. There is no need to let the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigate further." Zhu Biao said.

"You guys continue your investigation. Jinyiwei is more convenient to investigate. And if this matter really involves Ouyang Lun and the Prince Consort Party, do you think you and the Ministry of Justice can find out anything?" Zhu Yuanzhang continued: "Ouyang Lun is no longer a newcomer to the capital from Northern Zhili. Do you know how many people are standing behind him?"

"This..." Zhu Biao was stunned and didn't know what to say for a moment.

"Father, I don't think this matter is that serious. Perhaps Brother-in-law Ouyang is not aware of it at all." Zhu Biao explained, "The newspaper is Brother-in-law Ouyang's hard work. The principle that the newspaper must report truthfully was proposed by you and Brother-in-law Ouyang. This is a rare principle that you two can agree on."

"I never thought that Brother-in-law Ouyang would do such a thing for just a few hundred thousand dollars."

"You're right to be confused. I couldn't understand why Yang Xian would deceive me, nor could I understand why Hu Weiyong would betray me. In fact, some people just like to pretend! The more you can't understand something, the more likely it is!" Zhu Yuanzhang said earnestly, "Biao'er, you are the crown prince, the heir to the throne of the Ming Dynasty. Sooner or later, I will hand over the Ming Dynasty to you. You have to be like me. Except for trusting yourself, you must never trust anyone else!"

"Biao'er, remember, people will change!"

"Your Majesty is right, but we all know the intelligence and strategy of Brother-in-law Ouyang. It is true that he loves money, but he will never embezzle the demolition money of the people. Besides, with Brother-in-law Ouyang's vision, let alone hundreds of thousands, even millions or tens of millions, he probably wouldn't care!"

After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang was unable to refute.

"Biao'er, what you said does make sense, but this matter must be investigated thoroughly to give the people justice. Judging from the current situation, Hanjia Village is not the only victim!"

"As for whether this matter is related to Ouyang Lun, we will have to wait for the results of the investigation."

"While you are investigating, pay attention to those people who are particularly concerned about this matter!"

Zhu Yuanzhang warned.

"Yes, father." Zhu Biao bowed in response.

After a pause, Zhu Yuanzhang saw that Zhu Biao had not left, and asked in confusion: "Biao'er, do you have anything else to say?"

Zhu Biao was hesitant and tangled. After a moment, he spoke carefully, "Father, if the investigation shows that this matter is really related to Brother-in-law Ouyang, how will you deal with Brother-in-law Ouyang?"

"If he really did it, I will naturally deal with it impartially. He is not only a court official, but also the son-in-law of the Ming Dynasty. I must not bring discredit to the Zhu family!" Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes were filled with murderous intent.

"But what if Brother-in-law Ouyang is already dying?"

Zhu Biao said slowly.

"Ok!"

"Biao'er, what do you mean?"

"Ouyang Lun is still so young, how could he die soon? Are you kidding me?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile.

"Your Majesty, I have received a piece of news." Zhu Biao said softly.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's pupils dilated, his face was filled with shock, and even his whole body began to tremble.

"No! I will never allow Ouyang Lun to die!"

"That's not true."

Zhu Yuanzhang said a little crazily.

Um?!?
Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang like this, Zhu Biao was stunned, with confusion written all over his face.

My father just said he wanted to kill Ouyang Lun, why is he now shouting that he doesn't want Ouyang Lun to die? What's going on?
"Father, what are you doing?"

"Biao'er, can you send the imperial physician to check on that kid?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked hurriedly.

"No." Zhu Biao shook his head.

"You are so stupid. If you are sick, you should see the imperial physician. He is still so young. He may get better by taking some medicine!" Zhu Yuanzhang said anxiously, "Wang Zhong, go and call the imperial physician. Call all the imperial physicians and follow me to the clan residence!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After Zhu Yuanzhang gave the order, he hurried out of the hall.

"Father, wait a minute!"

Zhu Biao quickly stopped Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Biao'er, what do you mean? Ouyang Lun cannot die. I said so! Even if the King of Hell comes, I have to keep him alive!" Zhu Yuanzhang almost roared.

(End of this chapter)